A Look at the 2009 SFA Quarterbacks

[ALEX LIFESON]

A Look at the 2009 SFA Quarterbacks
Junior Jeremy Moses looking for a sequel to the the record-setting 2008 campaign


Aug. 24, 2009


NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Every team in America would love to enter the season with a savvy, accomplished veteran at quarterback; a signal caller who has been through the battles, knows the offense, can read a defense and is an extension of his head coach on the field. The 2009 Lumberjacks are fortunate to be in that situation entering the 2009 season.

Junior Jeremy Moses returns for his third season in the Lumberjack purple and white. Moses, a 6-0, 200-lb., gunslinger from Baytown Lee High School is coming off a record-setting sophomore campaign that saw him earn 2008 honorable mention all-conference honors, and is the leader of what should be a very talented spot on the Lumberjack roster.

"Every place I've been, the second year in the system has almost been like night and day for the quarterbacks," said SFA offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. "It is a very similar situation with Jeremy. Coming into last season, he was an infant in this offense.

"Jeremy's greatest asset may be his mental toughness. Obviously, he has a great grasp of the game, but his mental toughness is what makes him so valuable to the team. He also has a short-team memory. It doesn't matter whether something good or bad happens on the field, he isn't going to let that affect the next play. He's just going to go out and play," added Dawson.

Moses' record-setting season has been well documented, but what may not be that well known is that he is on pace to become the school's most prolific passer this season. Moses enters his junior campaign second all-time in school history in completions (463), fourth in touchdown passes (47), sixth in passing yards (5,331) and seventh in yards passing (5,104). The most telling statistic about these numbers is that Moses has accomplished all of this in only 17 games.

The one dark blot on Moses' stat line was the high number of interceptions last season. Moses led the league with 20 picks, but Dawson is confident that those numbers will drop in '09.

"Stat wise we threw for a lot of yards and touchdowns, but we also had a lot of interceptions," said Dawson. "The 20 interceptions are a reflection of the first year in the system. The positive thing is that he did have 41 touchdowns so that shows the ability that Moses has. But the interceptions have to at least be cut in half this year, and I think they will just with more repetitions, and the fact that we've had another spring and fall camp to work the system. When that happens, we obviously will be a more productive unit."

Moses will be backed up by a couple of very talented, but inexperienced signal callers in 6-4, 213-pound sophomore Dalton Williams (Coppell, Texas) and 6-2, 214-pound true freshman Brady Attaway (Whitehouse).

Between the two, Williams brings more experience to camp, but his experience is limited. While seeing most of his action as the team's holder last season, Williams completed 19-of-32 passes for 123 yards, but also threw three interceptions.

"Dalton has every tool in the world to play this position," said Dawson. "The one drawback with Dalton is he tends to over analyze things on the field, which is typical of a guy his age. I have every confidence in the world if something happened to Jeremy that Dalton could come in and move this team up and down the field. He's done and unbelievable job in the preseason."

Williams arguably had the best fall of the Lumberjacks' three signal callers completing 34-of-57 (.596) for 374 yards and three touchdowns in the team's two scrimmages.

Attaway comes to Nacogdoches as one of the 'Jacks most highly touted recruits. He finished his prep career completing 61 percent of his passes for 8,086 yards and 80 touchdowns, with only 37 interceptions. He also ranks among the state's all-time top 10 in touchdown passes, passing yards, pass attempts and completions.

"Brady probably has the strongest arm of the three," said Dawson. "He has an absolute rocket for an arm. His biggest setback right now is lack of experience. He doesn't have the understanding of the offense right now that the other guys have. As the year wears on, the one thing he will do is competing for playing time."

Attaway was 34-of-49 (.694) for 324 yards and two TDs in the team's two preseason scrimmages. These numbers come following a spring camp that saw him complete 53 percent of his passes for 153 yards.

"I honestly feel that we have three guys that could come in and play the position this season," said Dawson. "I've never been fortunate enough to be in this situation. Each one brings something a little different to the table. I wouldn't change the game plan one bit if we had to go to a backup."

Senior receiver Duane Brooks also got a look at quarterback during the fall, and may be an X factor for SFA. He provides the 'Jacks with a different look behind center. A dual-threat quarterback, Brooks also has a strong arm, but can also make plays with his feet. The reigning conference newcomer of the year will see the majority of his playing time at receiver for the 'Jacks.

-SFA-

[GOSFAGO]

I believe in Moses.

[ozfan]

I believe in Moses.

Well he did lead his people to the promised land, but I do not think he will lead SFA to a win over SMU this year.

[mrydel]

I believe he was speaking about Grandma.

[Arkpony]

You don't mess with Mrydel! You'll lose everytime!

[GOSFAGO]

SMU's #1 Nightmare

[PonySoprano]

A SFA fan's #1 nightmare:

[LeroyThaLumberJack]

A SMU's 2nd worst nightmare....

[mr. pony]

A SFA fan's #1 nightmare:

A+

[jtstang]

There is no question that SFASU has one of the best d-2 qb's out there.

[0-11]

[LeroyThaLumberJack]

Moses will be signing autographs after the game.

[Peruna94&07]

The guys sounds like a good qb, but I do have to ask if he is so phenomenal why is he at SFA? You would think if he was the second coming that he would have gotten offers from at least schools in the WAC, CUSA, etc.

The 5th will be an interesting game from an offense perspective.....

[SmooBoy]

Moses will be signing autographs after the game.

On two stone tablets no less.

[SMU_is_bowling]

I am sure his size (smaller than ideal) had a lot to do with him ending up at SFA, he did have a good year last year, no denying that. But just like SMU, you can't go off of what happened last year, all you can do is play the games . . . and I for one look forward to kicking the crap out of SFA.